Spectacle and eyeglass case



Aug. 27, 1935. A. J. PRATT 2,012,829

SPECTACLE AND EYEGLAss cAsE Filed March 16, 1954 INVENTOR .58 (IrhEgrJ. Pral F15. 1V WMZ# Patented ug. 27, 1935 Mass., sette` SPECTACLE Ann `EvsoLAss CASE Arthur J. Pratt, Belmont, Mass., Aassigner' `to American Optical Company, Southbridge,

a voluntary association of Massachu-- Appiication March 16, 1934,v serial No., 715,956

v14 Claims.

This invention .relates to improvements in receptacles and hasY particular reference `to imf proved casesfgor spectacles and eyeglasses, and

method of making the same.

One ofthe principal objects of the invention is to provide ,improvedV meansi, and method of making a spectacle or eyeglass case Whereinfthe main box portion and cover portion of the case maybe formed` to the required finished/shape and be provided with the usual flexible4` case covering material, separately of, each `other and may thereafter be secured to a separate hinge member Without in any way injuring theY covering material. f

Another object and method oi attaching the isto provide improved means main box portion and coverportion of, a spectacle or eyeglass case of the above character to a separate hinge-member whereby the covering material` on said portions may be simultaneously anchored against becoming loose and fraying during the use of the case.

Another object is to provideV improved means and method of'forming and attaching the separate parts of a. spectacle or eyeglasscaseto ahingemember Without the use of separate attaching means.

Other objects and advantages of the rinvention Will become apparent from the ollowing .description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and it Will be apparent that many changes in the steps of the process and the arrangement ofparts and details of construction i,

shown and described mayfbe made Without departing from the spirit of the invention as exe pressed in the accompanying' claims., 4I, therefore, do notl Wish to be limited to the exact steps of the process and details of construction` shown and described as the preferred form only has b Vshown by way of illustration. Referring to the drawing:

Fig. I is la plan view of a case embo invention een dying 'the the parts separated; rand,

Fig. Vv fis, ari-enlarged sectionalV 'viewA takenr on line V-V of lg.` IV, and showing the relation of the spring means` with the opened and closed` positions. It has been in the past hinge `member in ,in .spectacle and eyeglass cases of the above nature, to provide the mainwboxportion and the cover portionwith any integral hingemember by meansof `Whicl'rthe cover is secured to the mainhox portion prior to placing the flexible covering material on saidcase and thereafter ,putting a lining, in said" case. Due` tothe factthat the coverhad to'be secured in hinged relation With the main boxportion prior to performing the case covering opration it was quite diiiicult and costly toy place the covering -on said portions. Another diflicult'and costly opera'- tion Wasin forming `the integral lhinge'.` and of providing suitable means forattaching the hinged end of said portions in cooperative relation with each other, so that the cover portion wouldbe in proper relation with the main box portion when the case Was nishedand ready for use;

' It, therefore, is one'of .the primary otkajects of 'I this invention to provide a case of the above character ywherein the cover portion and mainbox por-l tion may be completedasregards their'shape' and covering material prior to theirbeing attached together, and whichwill permitthe` use-of a separate commercial hinge memberto `which the cover portion and main box portion may be easily attached Withoutthe use of solder or other :sep-

arate attaching means and Whichwill obviate the difficult and expensive hinge.forming and case covering operations ofthe past.. j `Another object is `to provideV novel" means whereby the case covering. material adjacent the hinged end `of the case: will jbe securely 4held against loosening .and fraying during use. Referring more particularly'to. the Vdrawing wherein like characters ofv reference designate'V likefpartsthroughout the several views, thede- Yvice, embodying'tthe invention comprises a'main box Nportion ifand nacover portion ZQQWliich' as lfshovvri inv Figures` III andn IIV `are formed separately of each other and areprovided with projectingv attaching portionsV 3 and 4 by "means of which they maybe attached to a separate-hinge member The main vbox portion. l ,andy the cover portion 2 are formed` froma'she'et. of material, such as aluminum, steel, silver, gold,or other suitable means, which is blanked tothe desired 'Y A' contour shape and is v then pressedor yothtlzrvv'ise formed to its desired nis'hed shapesucd as shown in Figures I `and. IV. After the parts have been properly shaped, a flexiblecovering 1 f by an adhesive or other suitable means in the usual prior art manner with the exception that the main box portion I and cover portion 2 are provided with the iexible covering separately vof Y each other, and at the hinge end of said portions,

and cover portion v2 as illustrated at'I and'" throughout their peripheral edges, andis secured throughout said turned-in edges by adhesive or other suitable means. Y

The projecting portions 3 and 4 on the main box portion I and cover portion 2 are then tted withinrecesses 9 and Il! formed betweenthe hinge. tongues of the hinge member 5.' 'After the projecting portions 3 and 4 have been fitted within the openings 9 and I0 they are pressed to overlie and 4be 'in rigidcontactwith the plates of the hinge'as'shown inFig. II. This attaches the main box portion I and cover portion 2 rigidly with the hinge member 5. After the main box por'tionI andk cover portion 2 ar'efin secured relation withthe hinge member 5, va flexible lining of velvet or other suitable means is secured throughout the interior of said main box portion and cover portion 2 by a cement orother suitable adhesive.

AAttention is directed tothe fact that when the projecting portions'3 and 4 are pressed into secured relation with the hinge member 5, the covering material 6, as shown at vi and 8 in Figures II and III, will be simultaneously anchored between the plates of the hinge member 5A andthe rear interior walls of the cover-portion 2 and main box portion I. The material 6 on the projections 3 and 4 will be carried by said projections interiorly of said main box portion I and cover portion 2 and will lie between said-projections and rthe. inner velvet lining I I. V'Ihis completely covers the hinged edge ofthe main box portion I and cover portion 2 throughout the hinged sfide of Vthe case. The hinge member 5 is provided with a'spring'member I2 of the usual prior art type which resiliently holds the cover both in opened and closed position in the usual prior art manner.

.Attention is directed lto the fact that in attachingthe hinge member 5 to the main box portion I and the cover portion 2, there are no ,sol-der or Vseparate connecting members used. `The projecting portions 3 and 4 are merely inserted through the openings 9 and Il! inthe ,i

after connected with thelhingeA member 5, much diificulty in the production of cases of this character is overcome and the costis greatly reduced.

'Ihis isfparticularly true with regard to the forml ingand hinging ofthe cover portion to the main box portion and inthe covering-of said portions with the flexiblecoveringfmaterial which in the past extended over the hinged side of the case and was formed ofja single piece of material extending paratus as has been usual in the past.

Vof the objects and advantages of the invention, particularly that of providing means whereby a spectacle or eyeglass case may be formed with its mainb'ox portion and cover portion separate of each other and having the desired flexible covering material thereon, and which may thereafter be secured to a separate hinge vmeno.- berin a simple and efficient manner wherein the edges of the main box portion and cover portion at the hinged side of the case will be completely covered with the flexible covering material without in any way injuring or marring said covering material.

Having described my invention I claim:

.1.' In a device of the character described, a box portion having a plurality of integral projections on one of its longitudinal edges, a cover portion having a plurality of integral projections on one of its longitudinal edges and a separate plate type hinge member having a plurality of openings therein secured tothe box portion and cover portion with the projections on said portions extending through the openings in the hinge and overlying the plates thereof to anchor said plates between the inner walls of the box. and cover portions and the said overlying portions of the projections.

' 2. In a device of the character described, a box portion having a plurality of peripheral projections on one side thereof and having a covering of flexible material on its outer surface and the outer surface of its projections, a separate cover portion having a plurality of peripheral projections on one side thereof and having a covering of flexible material on its outer surface and the outer surface of its projections and a separate plate type hinge member having openings therein for securing the cover portion to the box portion, said hinge member being attached to the box portion and the cover portion with the projections of said portions and flexible covering material on said projections extending through the openings in the hinge and overlying the plates thereof .to vanchor the said plates between the inner walls of said box and cover portions and the said overlying portions of the projections.

3.f In a device of the character described, a box portion having a plurality of' peripheral pro-A jections on one side thereof and having a covering of iiexible material on its outer surface and the 'Outer surface of its projections, a cover portion having a plurality of peripheral projections on one side thereof Yand having a coveringv of flexiblev material onit's outer surface and the outer surface of its projections and a separate plate type hinge' member having a plurality of openings therein secured to the box'portion and cover portionby the. projections which extend through the openings in the hinge and overlying the plates thereof internally of the box portion and cover portion, the flexible covering material on said projections and which extends throughthe openings in the hinge member being adapted toform an-y edge covering over a portion of the hinged jectlons on one side a` separate plate typehinge member having `openfv. vings, therein.attachedrtofthe box rportion vand edges of said boxand cover portions and the remaining portions` of the covering material adjacent the hinge being turnedinwardly between the hinge plates and the innerfwallsof` the main box` portion and cover. portion to complete the edge covering of said portions.

4. In a device of the character described, a box portion having a pluralityl of spaced projections on one of its longitudinal edges and having a covering of flexible material on its outery surface and the outer surface of its projections, said` ilexible material overlying and being'turned inwardlyofthe peripheral edges ofthe box portion on all lsides vthereof except the side having-the projections thereon ,wherein it is only j turned inwardly between said projections, a cover portion having a pluralityA of spaced projections on one of its longitudinal edges and having a covering of flexible material on its outer surface and on the outer surface of its pro-jections, said flexible material overlying yand being turned inwardly of the peripheral edges of the cover portion on all sides thereof except the side having the projections thereon wherein it is onlyturned in- Wardly between said projections, and a separate plate type hinge member havingopenings therein attached to the box portion and cover portion with the projections on said portions and the iiexible material onY said projections extending through its openings and overlying the plates thereof with the turned in portions of the flexible covering material along said hinged edges lying between the plates of thehinge andthe inner walls of the main box portion and cover portion.

5. In aY device of the character described, a box portion having a plurality of peripheral prothereof and having a covering of flexible material on*` its outer surface and the outer surface of its projections, a separate' cover portion having a plurality of peripheral projections on one side thereof and having ,a

covering of flexible material on its outer surface and the outer surface ofits projections, a separate plate hinge member'havingr openings therein for securing the cover portion to the box portion, said hinge member ,being attached to the box portion and cover portion with the projections on said portions and iiexible covering material on said projections extending through the openngs in the hinge land overlying `the plates thereof to anchor the said plat'esbetween the inner walls of said box and Vcover portions and the said overlying portions of the projections and a flexible lining secured internally of Ysaid box portion and cover portion and overlying ,the hinge member connecting vsaid portions. .-7. a

6. In a device of the character described, a box portion having a plurality of ,spaced projections on one of its longitudinal edges-,and having a covering of exible material on its outer surface and the outer-surface. of its projections, said flexible material overlying and being turned inwardlyof the peripheral edgesmof the box portion on all sides thereof except the side having the projections thereon wherein it is only turned-inwardly between said projections, a cover portion havinga plurality of spaced projections on one of its longitudinal edges and having a covering of flexible material on its outer surface and'on the outer surface of its projections, said flexible material overlying and being turned inwardly of the peripheral edges of the cover portions on all, sides .thereof except the sides having the projections `thereon wherein it cover portion with the projections Aonsaid portions andthe exble'material on saidprojectionsy extending through its openings and overlying the plates thereof with the turnedinportionsof-the iiexible covering material along said hingededges lying between the plates of the hinge and the inneriwalls rof `the. boxe-portion and cover portion .and a exiblelining securedl internally of saidbox portion and cover portonwith its peripheral, edgesoverlying .the turned in portions of the flexible covering .material` and 4rwith a portion thereof overlying the hinge-,member con--` nectngsa-id boxportion and kcover portion.r

7., in a device of lthe character described a box portionY having 'a plurality of Aspaced, integral projections on one of its longitudinal edges, andl having` a covering of flexible material on its outer surf-ace and-the outer surface ofits projections, said flexible material overlyingand being turned inwardly of the peripheral edgesV of the box porton, a cover portion having a pluralityfof yspaced projections on'` one of its longitudinal edges, and

having a coveringv offlexible-material on its outer surfaceand lon the' outerVV surface of its projections, sald flexible material overlying and being turned inwardlyofthe peripheral edges of the cover portion, a separate plate type hinge memi ber having openings therein attachedv to the box portion and cover` portion with the projections on said portions and the `flexiblematerial thereon extending though the openingsin-the hinge and overlyngthe plates thereof to ysecurely attach the box portion and cover portion to the hinge.

, 8. The process of makingy a receptacle-case comprising making a box'portion with `spaced projectionson ,oneA of its sides, securing a lcovering of flexible materialon `the Abox portion and J on itsy projections, making a cover portion with. projections on its side corresponding to that of the box portionr havingcthe projections thereon, securing a covering of flexible material on the ,l cover portion andon its'projections, providing av separate plate'type hinge member with ,aplurality of openings to receive said projections, placing ythe projections of said boxV portion and coverl portion and the exible `covering material thereon through the' openings and bending the portions of said projections which arejextended through the `openings to overlie the hinge plates to rigidly secure thesaid plates between the said bent portions and the inner walls ofthe box portion'and cover portion and thereby rigidly secure the said 'portions to the hinge. c

9. 'I'he processv of making: a receptacle case comprising making abox portion with spaced projections onone of its sides,`securing a covering of exible material on the boxportion and on its projections, making a cover portion with projections on itsside corresponding to that ,of the box portion having'the projections thereon, securing a'covering of exible materialen the cover portion and Aon its projections, providing a separate plate type hinge member with a plu-A rality of openings to receive said projections,

placing the projections of said box portion and vcover portion and thev flexible covering material thereon through the openings, bendingl the ,portions of said 'projections 'which are lextended through the openings to overlie Vthe hinge plates to rigidly secure the said plates between the said bent portions and the inner walls of the box portion and cover portion and thereby rigidlysecure the said portions to the yhinge, and securing a `flexible lining in said box portionand cover porcomprising making a box portion With spaced v projectionsA on' one ofrits sides, securing a covering Vofflexible material :on the boxportion and f on its projections and turning its edges over and inwardlyof the peripheral edges of said box por- A tion on all sides thereof. exceptv theA side having the projections wherein it is only'turned inwardly between said projections; making a cover portion withspaced projections on one of its sides, securing a-coveringiofflexible material onthe cover portion Aand on itsprojectionsfand turning its edges over and inwardly of theperipheral edges of saidgcover portion on all sides thereof except the side having the projections, wherein Vit is only turned `inwardly between said projections, providing a platetype hinge member with a plurality of openings to receive theprojections, placing the projections and the' covering material thereon through' the openings and bending the portions of saidprojections which extend through the openings into overlapped relation with the plates of the hinge and to secure the turned in portion of theviiexible covering material along the hinged edgesvof the bo'x portion and cover portion between the plates of the hinge and the internal walls of said box portion'and cover portion. f

- ,11. The process ofV making ay receptacle case comprising making a box portion with spaced projections oir one of itsV sides, securing a'cover- Ving of flexible material on'the box portion and on its projections and turning its edges over and inwardly of thevperipheral edges of said Abox portion on all sides-thereof exceptthe'side havingV the projections wherein itis only turned inwardly between said projections, making a cover portion with spacedprojections on one of vitsv sides, securing -a covering `of ilexible'material on the cover portion and on its `projections and turning its edges over and inwardly of theperipheral edges of said cover portion onall sides, thereof except the side havingv the projections wherein it is only turned inwardly between said projections, providing a plate type hinge memberwitha plurality of openings to receive the projections, placingvthe projections andY the covering material thereon through the openings, bending the' portions of said projections which extend through the openings into ,overlapped relation with the plates ofthe hinge and to secure the turned in portion of the flexible'covering material along lthe hinged edges of the box'portion and'cover portion between theplates of the hinge andthe internal wallsof said box portion' and cover portion, and securing'a flexible lining internally of said box portion and cover portion-with its pe ripheral edges overlying the' turnedV in portions of the flexible coveringmaterial and with a portion thereof overlying and concealingthe hinge member.

12.V The process ofmaking'` a receptacle case comprising-making a box portion with spaced projections on one of its sides, securing a cover- "ing of flexible' material on the box portion and on its projections and turning its edges over and vrthe portions of said projections which extend through the 'openings intooverlapped relation with the plates ofthe hinge and to secure the turned in portions ofthe exible covering material along the 'hinged edges 'ofthe box port-ion and cover portion between the plates of the hinge and the internal walls of said box portion and cover portion. a

13. The process of making a receptacle case comprising making a box portion with spaced projections on one of its sides, securing a covering of ilexible material on the box portion and on its projections and turning-its edges over and inwardly of the peripheral' edges of said box portion, `making a, cover portion with spaced projections on one of its sides, securing a covering of ilexible material on thecover portion and on its projections andturning its edges over and inwardly of the peripheral edges of said cover portion, providing a plate type hinge member with a plurality of openings to receive the projections, placing the projections and the coverextend Vthrough the openings into overlapped relationy with the plates of the hinge and to secure the-turned in portions of the flexible covering material along the hinged edges ofthe box portion and cover yportion between the plates of the hinge and the internal walls of said box portion and cover'portion, and securing a flexible lining internally of said box portion and cover portion with its peripheral edges overlying'the turnedin portions of the exiblecovering material and with a portion thereof Y overlying and concealing the hinge member.

14. Ina device of the character described, a box portionhaving a plurality of integral projections adjacent one of its sides, a cover portion having aplurality of integral projections adjacent one of its sides and a separate hinge member havinga plurality of openings therein secured to the box portion and cover portion with the projections: on said portions extending through the openings of the hinge and overlying portions thereofto anchor said portions between the inner walls 'of'the box and cover portions and said overlying portions of the projections.

ARTHUR J. PRATT. 

